Kathmandu: A Nepalese airliner crashed and caught fire shortly after taking off from Tribhuvan International Airport last week, killing 18 people aboard, including a child, and seriously injuring the pilot - the lone survivor - in the latest aviation disaster to hit the Himalayan nation.
The Bombardier CRJ-200 aircraft of Saurya Airlines, carrying 19 people, including two crew members and technical staff of the airline, was bound for Pokhara International Airport for regular maintenance service when the accident occurred.
“Shortly after takeoff from runway 02, the aircraft veered off to the right and crashed on the east side of the runway,” said a statement issued by the civil aviation authority of Nepal. It said rescue operations were initiated immediately and fire was brought under control. “One injured person (Captain Manish Ratna Shakya) was rescued and taken to the hospital, and 18 people were found dead,” it added.
The deceased were identified as co-pilot S Katuwal, the employees of Saurya Airlines and a Yemeni national (Aref Reda).
Manu Raj Sharma, a technician of the airline, his wife Priza Khatiwada and their four-year-old son were among the deceased.
Plane was flying a little above runway, then tilted to right before crash. Videos posted online showed the plane being enveloped in fire and smoke. Fire engines and ambulances were rushed to the spot after the incident.
Of the deceased, 15 died on the spot while three died during treatment at a local hospital, authorities said. The bodies of the deceased have been shifted to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for post-mortem. Pilot Shakya, 37, is undergoing treatment at Kathmandu Model Hospital.
